Loving the beast

Chapter 2 Loving the beast

Arabella walked wearily as she got closer to the house. She feared her father so much. Bennett Javernick wasn’t such a brutal man until he lost his wife when Arabella was ten and since then he resolved into drinking which marked the beginning of misery for his daughter.

Bennett would come home throw things at her and beat her when he got the chance to. Neighbors do not try to interfere knowing how violent he could become when they do, they only reach out to her when he is nowhere near and help nurse her wounds. She had been planning on eloping to her only relative alive, her mother’s sister in Pennsylvania until when she met Liam. Bella smiled at the memory.

She had heard of people talk about the mysterious young man who lived in the woods alone because he was a beast. Secretly, Arabella wished she could meet him and find out if truly he was what they claim him to be. She met him one of the nights her father went really overboard. Bennett had thrown a bottle at her which hit her head, he didn’t stop at that and he even tried hitting her with a bat. Arabella ran as fast as her legs could carry her into the woods, even though it was past midnight, she knew better than to stick around and no one would open their doors for her. She had passed out in the woods.

It was the next day when she opened her eyes to find the most beautiful pair of eyes she had come to love. He was a tall handsome man. His long sunrise gold hair was packed in a manly bun style that fits his perfectly sculpted face. He has broad shoulders, a well built chest and a muscular physique. His eyebrows are large, piercing blue eyes that made her heart melt and a pointed nose. She had never seen such unique beauty all her life. She fell for him immediately.

Liam said she had passed out in the middle of the woods that night and had found her when he was taking fresh air outside. She got to know he was the man who everyone was forbidden to associate with. They had said he was a beast, but she had never seen him act in any weird manner. He was the kindest man she had ever met. Whether he is a beast or not, she cared less. He made her happy and they both loved each other.

Whenever her father was out to get booze, knowing the number of hours he would take, she would go to Liam and spend quality time with him. And meeting him had changed her intention of eloping to her aunt’s place in Pennsylvania cause she couldn’t think of leaving him. 

On getting to the house, Bella opened the back door slightly and strained her ear to listen for any form of movement. But the silence did prove that no one was in, she sighed in relief and beamed with joy.

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FEW WEEKS LATER

“Arabella, you know, you not telling me the exact truth would put you in trouble right?” Bennett bellowed at his daughter. For the first time in weeks he was sober. Of all days, he had observed that his daughter looked paler than usual.

Arabella shifted away from him leaning into the wall like a deer caught in the headlights. She already knew what was wrong with her. She was carrying Liam’s child and they had both been happy about it and even planned on eloping. But Bella didn’t expect her father to find out before their plan was carried out.

“I am okay father, just a little sick. I would be fine.” She told him.

Bennett sneered. “You had better be because you wouldn’t find it funny one bit if my suspicions are true.” He walked away and exited the house.

After making sure that her father was out of sight, she rushed back to her room to change her clothes. She left the house running as fast as her legs could carry her towards Liam’s home in the woods.

Bennett came out of hiding, turned around after his daughter to see which way she went. He had been told by not just one but by quite a few number of people that his daughter was hanging out with the beast. He didn’t want to believe it until he took note of her paleness and the direction she headed to in the wood proved it.

“That slut!” He muttered under his breath. He should have known she was no good. She was nothing like her mother. Every of her being was like that of her mother’s sister, Harriett.

Bennett spat in disgust. He walked back to his house to search for his barrel and he loaded it fully. He made his way towards the wood with a determined mind to end whatever creature was in there.

Arabella ran as fast as her legs could carry her towards Liam’s home. Sensing she might be in trouble with her father again, Liam ran to meet her half way. “What is the matter, Bella?” Liam asked as he held on to her. She was trying to catch her breathe. “You know you shouldn’t be stressing yourself due to your condition.”

Arabella swallowed hard. “Let’s elope today, Liam. My father is suspecting I am pregnant and I am certain he would find out soon. He is going to kill us, Liam! Let’s leave this town my love.” She cried in reply as she pulled him towards the cottage.

“I would do what you want Bella. But…please calm…you need to relax.” Liam hugged her to himself. Slowly he stroked her back to calm her down.

Bennett saw their image from afar and was beyond livid. The speculations had been true. And without thinking he fired a shot into the sky which caused the couple to go apart. They saw him walking towards them.

“Get the hell off my daughter, you monster!” Bennett yelled.

Liam became protective and stood in front of Bella. “Mr Javernick, we can talk things out as man to man.” He said calmly.

“You are not a man like me! You are a monster! Get away from my daughter before I blow your  animalistic brain out!”

“Dad…please…don’t shoot.” Bella pleaded

“Shut the hell up! You know nothing about this animal! And he has only been using you to pleasure himself!” Bennett stood in a defensive stance without making an attempt to back out and he had the barrel pointed at Liam.

Seeing they were in harm way, Liam felt his beast emerge as he walked towards his attacker. Not thinking it through, he morphed into a wolf and charged at Bella’s father. Arabella was shock at seeing his transformation.

“No! Liam No!” She called out.

Liam heard her. However, he couldn’t turn back seeing her father was determined to end him. He had to protect himself. Bennett was furious seeing the beast in its full form. He had prepared his mind for the worst to come. Moreover, he was confident the Barrel would do a great job.

Bennett pulled the trigger non stop and he didn’t miss the target. Liam felt the impact of the bullets penetrating his wolf and just as he reached his assailant he fell to the ground.

“Liam!” Bella screamed out.